Tue, 12 Oct 1999 16:41

Hickman catheter surgery and bone marrow harvest went well

Hello. Logan had his bone marrow harvest and Hickman catheter surgeries today. We arrived at Duke at 6 am; surgery was over by 10am and he would have been able to go home by 11am except for some nausea from general anesthesia which kept him in the recovery room through 2:30pm. Unfortunately, he did need a unit of blood due to low hemoglobin. He hasn't needed any pain medicine which is surprising as he had about 30 'drill' holes per each hip bone site (within a two inch diameter on each hip bone). I am kind of intimidated by the sight of his catheter, which hangs out of his chest (unlike his infusaport catheter which is under his skin); somehow, I have to learn how to flush and make dressing changes along with other maintenance at home. Also, there is a potential for it to get pulled on by little, curious people. Home Health will be coming by tomorrow to instruct us with catheter and growth hormone shots; hopefully, I will feel more comfortable about everything after tomorrow. Some good news for us is that tomorrow we get to stay home and rest!

We got some interesting new information about his lungs today. Apparently in May someone discovered a cyst-like object in his lungs but didn't bother telling us until today since "it was not a problem" (What ever that means). The "cyst" showed up today in the chest x-ray (that verified his lungs were not pierced by the Hickman insertion procedure) today and one of the surgeons casually brought up the subject. We will try to find out more about this. (It is still not a problem they say).

Thank you for your prayers especially for today. Our care pastor, Walter Ross read to Carla (Knocker's sister who stayed with me the whole day) and I some encouraging words from Philippians 4:19 "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Notice how it does not say our wants. God knows what we need and what is best for us. A double encouragement to me because my BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) discussion group last night had brought up this same verse :)

Thanks,

Laura Gaskins